Graignamanagh: Ann Phelan welcomes astroturf pitches permission

21 Oct 2012

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GREAT DAY FOR GRAIG - “I would like to welcome the announcement that planning has been granted by Kilkenny Local Authorities for the first phase of the €994,000 funded Outdoor Tourism Project- this will see the provision of an Astroturf site adjacent to Duiske College. As you all may already be aware, Kilkenny Local Authorities and Kilkenny LEADER Partnership unanimously agreed to fund the Outdoor Pursuits Project in Graignamanagh back in May. This has been a long and arduous process, one in which I, as a member of the original steering committee, have continued to be involved in since the project’s initiation. This is a monumental investment in these challenging times. It is very significant for our town and for the students and staff of Duiske College. I have listened quite a bit over the years to council not putting a fair share into Graignamanagh, well I think that doesn’t apply anymore. We relied strongly on the Councils investment to draw down funding from LEADER and in my opinion, it should not be lost on anyone the important investment made by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny Local Authorities and the VEC. I also want to thank Cllr Tommy Prendergast for seeing this through to a vote in the Council and for his continued work and contribution to the project as a member of the board of LEADER. I want to thank the local committee of which both Cllr Tommy Prendergast and I are members, which comprise of Principal of Duiske College, Pat Murphy, Mr Willam Watson, Philip Byrne, Tom McDonald, Ted Duff, and Robert Drury. Apart from this project, LEADER has also taken a great deal of interest in Graig providing funding for Solaire Wood and the Abbey Hall. She wished Duiske College and everyone involved in the project the very best. HISTORICAL SOCIETY - The guest speaker at the October meeting of the Graignamanagh Historical Society is well known author and historian Dr. Michael Conry. Dr Conry.s latest publication is entitled PICKING Bilberries,Fraochans and Whorts in Ireland.The theme of his talk on Friday night to the members of the society is about picking fraughans on Brandon Hill and the Blackstairs.Many people will recall the daily exodus of pickers during the fraughan season to collect the berries to sell to the buyers who came from throughout Ireland. The meeting takes at the library on Friday next 19th October at 8pm. The meeting is open to al and everyone is welcome.

GREAT DAY FOR GRAIG - “I would like to welcome the announcement that planning has been granted by Kilkenny Local Authorities for the first phase of the €994,000 funded Outdoor Tourism Project- this will see the provision of an Astroturf site adjacent to Duiske College. As you all may already be aware, Kilkenny Local Authorities and Kilkenny LEADER Partnership unanimously agreed to fund the Outdoor Pursuits Project in Graignamanagh back in May. This has been a long and arduous process, one in which I, as a member of the original steering committee, have continued to be involved in since the project’s initiation. This is a monumental investment in these challenging times. It is very significant for our town and for the students and staff of Duiske College. I have listened quite a bit over the years to council not putting a fair share into Graignamanagh, well I think that doesn’t apply anymore. We relied strongly on the Councils investment to draw down funding from LEADER and in my opinion, it should not be lost on anyone the important investment made by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny Local Authorities and the VEC. I also want to thank Cllr Tommy Prendergast for seeing this through to a vote in the Council and for his continued work and contribution to the project as a member of the board of LEADER. I want to thank the local committee of which both Cllr Tommy Prendergast and I are members, which comprise of Principal of Duiske College, Pat Murphy, Mr Willam Watson, Philip Byrne, Tom McDonald, Ted Duff, and Robert Drury. Apart from this project, LEADER has also taken a great deal of interest in Graig providing funding for Solaire Wood and the Abbey Hall. She wished Duiske College and everyone involved in the project the very best. HISTORICAL SOCIETY - The guest speaker at the October meeting of the Graignamanagh Historical Society is well known author and historian Dr. Michael Conry. Dr Conry.s latest publication is entitled PICKING Bilberries,Fraochans and Whorts in Ireland.The theme of his talk on Friday night to the members of the society is about picking fraughans on Brandon Hill and the Blackstairs.Many people will recall the daily exodus of pickers during the fraughan season to collect the berries to sell to the buyers who came from throughout Ireland. The meeting takes at the library on Friday next 19th October at 8pm. The meeting is open to al and everyone is welcome.

RAS NA MANACH - The initial Ras Na Manach or Race of the Monks took place on Sunday last and was a great success.The 10km race began at the Boathouse and followed a scenic course along the Quay, High Street along the Bypass and into the countryside . The finishing line was back at the Boathouse and in a thrilling finish after 10 gruelling kilometres Mick Kelly won by a whisker from the fast finishing Kevin Fenlon . In third place was Tommy Falconer. The winners time was 35.22 with the runner up just one second behind on 35.23. The ladies race was won by Martina O’Dwyer with a time of 39.25. Second was Marie Fitzgibbon on 43.31 Oriel Glennon was third on 59.09. The treasure hunt which was run in conjunction with the racs was won by Holly Brooks . The runners up prize was won by Tiernan Byrne.

LOTTO - The reserve jackpot has risen to £5,750 and continues to rise on a weekly basis. This will kick in when the major jackpot of £10,000 is eventually won. Last weeks numbers were 2,16, 29 & 31. Once again there was no winner of the Jacpot but the following won consolation prizes. Sheamus Lennon, Rob Jackson, Ivan Keating, Cathy Butler and Pat Dunne.Tickets for the lotto are widely available locally.

GREAT WIN FOR UNDER 14 HURLERS - Congratulations to the Under 14 hurling team who had a great win in the Under 14 County Final Roinn C defeating Tullogher Rosbercon by 4 17 to 0 14.This is a great boost for hurling in the Parish as results at adult level in recent years have been most disappointing.The work being put at juvenile level will eventually pay off and the recent slump in form can be halted. Well done to all concerned,players, mentors and supporters.

DUISKE COLLEGE - There will be an open night for 5th and 6th classes at Duiske College on Thursday night from 7.30 to 9.30.This is a wonderful opportunity for all concerned to meet the staff and discuss the future of the College.

WARMER HOMES - Winter is fast approaching and our thoughts are turning cosy firesides and snug rooms. Fuel costs are increasing at an alarming rate and some people are worried that the high costs will affect their ability to keep warm during an icy spell. Do you know that there is a scheme being delivered by Kilkenny Leader Partnership to insulate homes that qualify free of charge. Kilkenny Leader Partnership with an address at Patrick St. Kilkenny and the phone number is 056 775211.Councillor Tommy Prendergast has issued me with the following information which might be of interest to householders who feel they might qualify. Those in receipt of fuel allowance, job seekers allowance family income support old age pension etc. Homes must be owner occupied non local authority houses and must have been built before 2012.Tommy has also informed that he would be mre than happy to help anyone with their enquiries and he can be contacted at 087 6404580.

ANGLING CLUB - The Angling Club were thrilled with the response to their recent juvenile fishing competition which was held in conjunction with the Michaelmas Festival.Thirty boys and girls took part and it was a great sight to see the bank of the river filled with keen anglers from the Black Gates to the Boys Sandy. The overall winner on the day with a 10oz bream was Eoghan Byrne . Other winners were Liam Caahill, Jenny Cahill, Liam Curly, Brian Curly, Padhraic Cushen and David Doherty. Club Chairman John Conran made the presentation of the prizes to the lucky winners.

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